Game with pivoting pointer

ABSTRACT

A game wherein players move their game pieces across a game board and attempt to collect end game cards by moving their player mover to a space that is occupied by a reward mover. Moreover, the game may be portable. In some cases, the game apparatus may be carried in a plastic case that resembles a hard-backed book. The game components may be based on an individual chapter from a published children&#39;s book or novel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based upon and claims priority under 35U.S.C. § 119(e) to the following U.S. provisional patent application,which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for allpurposes: Ser. No. 60/340,007 entitled “Book Based Games,” filed Nov. 1,2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to board games, and morespecifically to board games that resemble a book when closed, andresemble a children's playset when open. The invention also includesvarious rules and apparatus for playing a board game, including gameshaving differently configured room-like portions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Examples of board games that resemble a book are disclosed inU.S. Pat. Nos. 2,221,267, 3,880,429, 4,712,673, 4,781,384, 5,356,155,5,961,149, and 6,203,017, and examples of board games that includemultiple levels or room-like portions are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.3,767,201, 3,804,416, 4,333,654, 4,534,565, 5,195,750, 5,443,268,5,678,819 and 6,170,825, the disclosures of all of which areincorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention includes portable games carried in aplastic case that resembles a hard-backed book. Opening the book unfoldsthe game board. Various embodiments may be based on an individualchapter from a published children's book or novel.

[0005] Preferably, the housing and game board double as a play set, foruse with detailed figures and environments.

[0006] The present invention further includes rules and apparatus forplaying a board game in which players try to penalize their opponents byrotating and aiming a pointer at their opponents' player movers.

[0007] The advantages of the present invention will be understood morereadily after a consideration of the drawings and the DetailedDescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of the game of the presentinvention, including a housing, multiple chambered playing surface, andplaying pieces.

[0009]FIG. 2 depicts the housing of FIG. 1 in a closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention is a game played by at least two playersinvolving strategy and chance. As will be understood, game 410 mayincorporate elements from a particular theme or popular culturalphenomenon, such as a book or movie. In such a case, the elements ofgame 410 may include depictions, shapes, and colors that reflect orexemplify this theme or phenomenon. In particular, game 410 may be basedon a particular portion of popular media, such as a chapter of a book ornovel.

[0011] An exemplary embodiment of game 410 is shown in FIG. 1.Typically, game 410 includes a housing 412 having an inner surface 414and an outer surface 416. Game 410 further includes a game board 418, aplurality of cards 420, player movers 422, reward movers 424, and arandom number generator such as dice 426.

[0012] Game board 418 typically includes a plurality of spaces 428. Asshown, spaces 428 can be thought of as creating a plurality of columns430 radiating from a central position 432. A pointer 434 is pivotallyattached to central position 432 such that pointer 434 may be rotated topoint down any of the columns. Spaces 428 may be divided by a pluralityof barriers 436, which indicate areas that a player mover cannot moveacross. Game board 418 may further include a plurality of reward moverspaces 438. Moreover, game board 418 may include a finish space, whichmay or may not be the space in which pointer 434 is located.

[0013] As shown, pointer 434 may be located on a raised platform. Thisplatform may include some or all of spaces 428, including the finishspace.

[0014] As stated above, game 410 includes cards 420. Cards 420 typicallyinclude two different types of end game cards that are differentiablebased on color, markings, or the like. Moreover, cards 420 may includeany suitable cards such as a card that allows the player holding thecard to roll again, a card that allows the player holding the card totake a card from an opponent, or a card that protects the player holdingthe card from being penalized when the pointer points at the player'splayer mover.

[0015] As stated above, game 410 may be based on a particular piece ofpopular media such as a book or more. More particularly, game 410 may bebased on a portion of the popular media piece such as a book chapter. Insuch a case, it may be desirable for game 410 to also be used as a playset. As a play set, game 410 may include play items based on those itemsand situations described in the book or other form of popular media.Furthermore, game 410 may include additional decorative items that arenot used in game play according to the rules of the game. In addition,some or all of the items used in game play may be suitable for use aspart of the play set.

[0016] As stated above, game 410 may further include a housing 412having an inner surface 414 and an outer surface 416. Typically, housing412 is adapted to move from an open position, as shown in FIG. 1 to aclosed position, as shown in FIG. 2. Generally, game board 418 isaccessible for play when the housing is in the open position.

[0017] The housing may resemble a book when in the closed position.Furthermore, the housing may be adapted to contain all of the playingcomponents including the playing pieces and any decorative items notused in game play when in the closed position.

[0018] In one embodiment, the present invention provides rules for usingthe above-described apparatus wherein players move their player moversacross game board 18 trying to place their player mover and a rewardmover on the same reward mover space in order to collect cards. Playersmust collect two different end game cards before returning to finishspace 440 to win the game. In addition, players rotate pointer 434.Typically, the rules of the game specify that if pointer 434 points downthe column on which a player mover is located, the player controllingthat player mover is penalized, for example by losing a turn.

[0019] As stated above, the game may be based on a well-known popularculture phenomenon, such as a book or movie. Accordingly, the examplebelow is based on the popular children's book Harry Potter and theSorcerer's Stone, by J. K. Rowlings. Accordingly, an example of a set ofrules for a game constructed in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention follows:

EXAMPLE 1 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone™ HEIR OF SLYTHERINChapter Game

[0020] Game Contents

[0021] 1 Mini Game Book

[0022] 2 Harry Potter Movers (Red and Blue)

[0023] 2 Sorting Hat Indicators (Red and Blue)

[0024] 1 Six-Sided Numbered Die (Mover Die)

[0025] 1 Six-Sided Custom Die (Basilisk Die—Symbols and Numbers)

[0026] 1 Basilisk Figure (2 Pieces)

[0027] 1 Fawkes the Phoenix Figure

[0028] 1 Stone Platform

[0029] 1 Card Holder

[0030] 2 Columns

[0031] 24 Game Cards

[0032] 3 Sword of Gryffindor Cards

[0033] 3 Basilisk Fang Cards

[0034] 6 Sorting Hat Cards

[0035] 6 Phoenix Tear Cards

[0036] 6 Basilisk Cards

[0037] SET UP

[0038] Unfold the game board.

[0039] Place the Stone Platform along one side of the board, the CardHolder on the opposite side, and the two Columns between them. (Spot#A—see diagram)

[0040] Snap the two pieces of the Basilisk (the Giant Snake) firmly ontoits body in the center of the Stone Platform, and snap Fawkes onto theend of the pointer, facing the Basilisk. Position the Basilisk so itpoints directly at the Card Holder. (Spot #B—see diagram)

[0041] Shuffle the cards and stand them—backs toward the gameboard—inside the Card Holder. (Spot #C—see diagram)

[0042] Place both of the Sorting Hat Indicators on the space numbered“1”. (Spot #D—see diagram)

[0043] Both players choose one of the Harry Potter Movers and place themon the Start Space in front of the Card Holder. (Spot #E—see diagram)

[0044] Each player rolls the numbered die. Highest roll goes first.

[0045] Object

[0046] Avoid the Basilisk's Petrifying gaze as you race through theChamber of Secrets to catch your Sorting Hat and draw a card. The firstplayer to reach the Basilisk with both the Sword of Gryffindor Card andBasilisk Fang Card wins the game.

[0047] The Dice

[0048] This game contains two dice. The Mover Die is an ordinarysix-numbered die. The Basilisk Die (the Custom die) has pictures andnumbers—pictures of the Basilisk with a number from 1 to 6. Whenever youroll the Basilisk die, you rotate the Basilisk the number of spacesindicated by the die. (See diagram)

[0049] Let's Play

[0050] The Player who rolled highest goes first.

[0051] Moving Around the Chamber of Secrets

[0052] On you turn, roll both dice.

[0053] First, move your Harry Potter Mover the number of spaces rolledon the Mover Die, trying to reach your Sorting Hat. Whenever you land onyour Sorting Hat, you get to draw a card.

[0054] You do not have to land on your Sorting Hat by exact count.

[0055] You cannot move diagonally, and you cannot move through awall—you must go around it.

[0056] Movers and Sorting Hat Indicators can share the same space.

[0057] Moving The Basilisk

[0058] After you finish moving your Harry Potter Mover, you get torotate the Basilisk clockwise or counter-clockwise the number of spacesrolled on the Basilisk Die—there are a total of 12 sections on thefloor, indicated by the bricks. Every brick the Fawkes pointer movesonto counts as one space. (Spot #D—see diagram)

[0059] You must move the Basilisk the full number of spaces rolled, andyou must move it in one direction. You cannot change direction until theBasilisk reaches a wall and must head back the opposite way.

[0060] At the end of its movement if the Basilisk stares down a row ofspaces that either Mover is standing in, that player loses their nextturn. (Spot #E—see diagram)

[0061] You cannot stop your Mover on a space where the Basilisk isstaring.

[0062] You cannot move onto the Basilisk's platform until you collectthe Sword of Gryffindor and Basilisk Fang cards.

[0063] Collecting Cards

[0064] Whenever you land on your Sorting Hat Indicator, draw a card.There are five types of cards:

[0065] SORTING HAT—allows you to roll again

[0066] BASILISK—when you play it on your opponent, you get to draw onecard from their hand without looking and place it in the discard pilebeside the game board. (If you use all the cards, re-shuffle the discardpile and return the cards to the Card Holder).

[0067] PHOENIX TEAR—if you play this card when the Basilisk points atyou, you do not lose a turn but can move normally.

[0068] SWORD OF GRYFFINDOR—one of two cards you need before you canattach the Basilisk.

[0069] BASILISK FANG—one of two cards you need before you can attach theBasilisk.

[0070] Whenever you draw a card and finish moving the Basilisk, youropponent takes your Sorting Hat Indicator and can move it to any othernumbered space on the board, forcing you to chase it to get your nextcard.

[0071] You can only play your cards after you finish moving, and you canplay as many during your turn as you want.

[0072] Defeating The Basilisk

[0073] The first player who collects a Sword of Gryffindor Card andBasilisk Fang Card then reaches the space that the Basilisk sits in winsthe game.

[0074] It is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompassesmultiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each ofthese inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specificembodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to beconsidered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. Thesubject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obviouscombinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features,functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Similarly, where theclaims recite “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, suchclaims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more suchelements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.

[0075] Inventions embodied in various combinations and subcombinationsof features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed inthis or a related application. Such claims, whether they are directed toa different invention or directed to the same invention, whetherdifferent, broader, narrower or equal in scope to any original claims,are also regarded as included within the subject matter of theinventions of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A game comprising: a game board having aplurality of spaces radiating from a central position, wherein a subsetof the spaces are reward mover spaces; barrier markings indicating areaswhere movement between two or more of the spaces is forbidden; and apointer pivotally attached to the central position; rules for playingthe game; a random number generator; a reward mover; a player mover; anda plurality of cards, wherein a subset of the cards are end game cards.2. The game of claim 1 wherein the central position is located at anapproximate geometric center of the game board.
 3. The game of claim 1wherein the central position is spaced away from a geometric center ofthe game board.
 4. The game of claim 1 wherein the random numbergenerator is a die.
 5. The game of claim 1 wherein the plurality ofcards includes: a card for a player holding the card to roll again; acard for a player holding the card to take a card from an opponent; acard that protects a player from being penalized when the pointer pointsat a corresponding player mover; a first end game card; and a second endgame card.
 6. The game of claim 5 wherein the rules specify that aplayer must collect both the first and second end game cards in order towin the game.
 7. The game of claim 1 wherein the rules specify that aplayer must be penalized when the pointer points at a player movercontrolled by the player.
 8. The game of claim 7 wherein the player ispenalized by loss of a turn.
 9. The game of claim 1 including asemi-circular raised platform radiating from the central position. 10.The game of claim 9 wherein the pointer is affixed to the raisedplatform.
 11. The game of claim 10 wherein the pointer includes a firstpart and a second part wherein the first part is affixed to the raisedplatform and the second part is spaced apart from the first part andadapted to pivot around the raised platform.
 12. The game of claim 1wherein the gameboard is located on the inside of a housing and thehousing is movable from an open position to a closed position.
 13. Thegame of claim 12 wherein the housing is adapted to contain the cards,pointer, random number generator, reward mover and player movers whenthe housing is in the closed position.
 14. The game of claim 12 whereinthe housing resembles a closed book when the housing is in the closedposition.
 15. A method for playing a game comprising: moving a playingpiece on a game board, the game board having a plurality of spacesradiating from a central rotating pointer, wherein a turn in the gamecomprises; obtaining a number from a random number generator and movinga player mover on the game board the number of spaces indicated by therandom number generator; and obtaining a number from a random numbergenerator and rotating the pointer the number of spaces indicated by therandom number generator, penalizing a player controlling a player moverif the pointer points at the player mover after the pointer is rotated;drawing a card from a plurality of cards when a player mover and areward mover share a space and moving the reward mover from a firstreward mover space to a second reward mover space; collecting end gamecards; and reaching a finish space.
 16. The method of claim 15 whereinthe random number generator for moving the individual playing piece is adie.
 17. The method of claim 15 wherein the random number generator forthe pointer is a die.
 18. The method of claim 15 wherein the penalty isloss of a turn.